Houseboating Free A/C, Well Almost
 

I am considering a modification to my Dad's Houseboat. It is on Dale
Hollow Lake in KY. It has a 2 1/2 Ton Central Heat & Air System on it
and a 12.5KW Westerbeke Genset. Well, that Genset can suck some gas
when the A/C is running non-stop. I am considering placing a second
evaporator coil (the coil inside the duct work) in series with the
existing one. Then I plan to lower a hose with a strainer on the end
down into that oh-so-cheap 55 degree water (about 25 feet deep). Then,
using a simple water pump, circulate cold water through the second
evap. coil. Now if I disconnect the compressor on the condensor coil
(the coil outside with the fan on top), I should use a lot less
energy/gas. I hope this works since I'll have about $200 bucks in the
retrofit. I think though that it should payback in 2 weeks. Of course
I'll still have to run the Genset to keep the air circulating. I think
the Genset will run under much less load. Has anyone done anything
like this? Any ideas?